# NTSB NYC00LA115: Mooney M-20F, N737HB, Parker, PA, April 1, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 2000, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Parker, PA
- Coordinates: 41.089721, -79.679992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0897&lon=-79.6800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48993
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48993/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA115

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout, due to his distraction with a flock of birds.  A factor was the pilot's improper in flight decision to continue the simulated engine failure to too low of an altitude.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - bird(s)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - low, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot decided to conduct a simulated engine failure over an agricultural field, with an intended recovery at '60-70 feet above the ground.'  When he was satisfied that he 'made the field,' a flock of geese distracted him, and the airplane struck a wire.  The pilot then returned to the originating airport to assess the damage to the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On April 1, 2000, about 1700 Eastern Standard Time, a Mooney M-20F, N737HB, was substantially damaged while practicing a simulated engine failure, near Parker, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight between the Clarion County Airport (AXQ), Clarion, Pennsylvania, and the Venango Regional Airport (FKL), Franklin, Pennsylvania.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he departed about 1600.  While en route, he decided to conduct a simulated engine failure over an agricultural field, with an intended recovery at "60-70 feet above the ground."  When the pilot was satisfied that he "made the field," a flock of geese distracted him and he struck a wire.  The pilot then returned to AXQ to assess the damage to the airplane.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the right wing, right aileron and the horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737HB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737HB), registered now, S/N 670469, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M-20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 670469
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary Gallagher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1999, 35 hours before
- Departed: AXQ, CLARION, PA
- Destination: FKL, FRANKLIN, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,081 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YNG, 42 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20000401011749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000401011749A), Apr 1, 2000: Mooney M20F, Parker, PA, No damage. (-23) According to a statement from the pilot while practicing simulated emergency landings, the a/c hit a wire causing substantial damage to wing and…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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